Resumen de Internal skeletal structures of the superfamily Pyloniacea (Radiolaria), a basis of a new systematics
This paper is the first through study of the internal skeletal structures of the superfamily Pyloniacea, a large group of Radiolaria entirely or partly built of systems of successively inverted or perpendicular girdles. Based on the investigation of hundreds of oriented sections through many Mesozoic and Cenozoic species, the author analyses and describes the mode of skeleton growth, the structure of microsphere, systems of girdles, and spines. Having gates as any shell girdle, the microsphere is regarded as the first girdle of the first system and one of the two fundamental taxonomic elements of the superfamily. The number of gates and their reciprocal position permit recognition of four main structural types of microspheres of high taxonomic value. Finally, a new systematics is proposed at family and subfamily levels. One family, 6 subfamilies, 8 genera and 10 species are described as new, and the definitions of the other families and subfamilies are emended.
